Colhoun History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Colhoun come from the ancient Scottish tribe known as the Dalriadans. They lived along the rugged west coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands and used the name to indicate a person who lived in the former Aberdeenshire, derived from the Gaelic còil or cùil, which means "nook" or "corner." Colquhoun is properly pronounced "Ko-hoon."

Early Origins of the Colhoun family

The surname Colhoun was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire where they held a seat at Luss and possessed vast manors and elegant estates. Although not formally recognized before the 11th century (the Clan system was not developed until the reign of King Malcolm Ceanmore and his second wife, Margaret) this Clan has a unified history that may well precede that time. It is believed that they occupied this area well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 AD. According to Clan tradition, the Calhoun Clan is descended from an early Celtic priest named St. Kessog who lived in Glen Luss, the Monks' Isle in Loch Lomond.

Early History of the Colhoun family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colhoun research. Another 255 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1241, 1602, and 1715 are included under the topic Early Colhoun History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Colhoun Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of Colhoun have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. Colquhoun, Colhoun, Colhoon, Cahoun, Cohoun, Cahoon, Cohoon, Culquhoun, Cahune, Cohune, Cowquhone, Colquhone, Culquhown, Cahoone, Calhoun, Kalhoun, Kulhoun, Kolhoun, Calhoon, Calloon, Culloone, Collune and many more.

Early Notables of the Colhoun family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Colhoun Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Colhoun family to Ireland

Some of the Colhoun family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 109 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Colhoun migration to the United States +

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Colhoun were among those contributors:

Colhoun Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Colhoun, who landed in Maryland in 1675 ^[1]
Jane Colhoun, who arrived in Maryland in 1677 ^[1]

Colhoun Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Archibald Colhoun, aged 43, who arrived in North Carolina in 1812 ^[1]
Joseph Colhoun, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1812 ^[1]

Colhoun migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Colhoun Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Colhoun, aged 23, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Mary Colhoun, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833

Contemporary Notables of the name Colhoun (post 1700) +

Historic Events for the Colhoun family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Robert Alan Colhoun (1923-1941), Australian Stoker 2nd Class from West Footscray, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking ^[2]

The Colhoun Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Si je puis
Motto Translation: If I can

Citations +

^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
^ HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp

Colhoun History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Early Origins of the Colhoun family

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